Overview: Safari in Ngorongoro Crater
Down here on the crater floor you can expect to see herds of zebra, wildebeest, Thomson’s gazelle and buffalo, with the open plains also home to Grant’s gazelle and topi. Predators are regularly seen, especially lion, hyena, jackal and bat-eared fox, though cheetah and leopard also occur here. And as if that wasn’t enough, the crater is also one of a handful of places in Africa where you have a very good chance of seeing black rhino.
Bird species are also numerous and varied. Kori bustards and secretary birds stalk the plains, African spoonbills and yellow-billed storks feed in and around the streams, whilst flamingos can be found on the soda lake. Anteater chats call noisily and black kites patrol the picnic area for an easy meal.
It’s not easy to drag yourself away at the end of the day, but as you climb out of the crater, you’ll gain the perspective of height. Down on the plains, the animals merge back into their environment and gradually fade from view, leaving you with memories and – with luck – some great photographs.
A game drive into the Ngorongoro Crater usually starts in the early morning. Most guides recommend that you are at the park gates as early as possible (they open at 06:00, but driving around the crater rim is not allowed earilier than 6am, so in practice your entry will depend on how far your lodge or camp is from the gate). The day’s safari then typically ends at around 4.00pm, when you’ll start ascending the crater and heading back to your accommodation. But, this is flexible and your safari guide will discuss your preferences with you. You can have a very fulfilling long morning, by arriving as early as possible, having a picnic breakfast, and then returning to your lodge for a late lunch, if it's on the crater rim.
Most visitors do this trip in a private vehicle, accompanied by their private guide. If you are on a fly-in safari, and staying at a fully-inclusive lodge in the area, you may visit the crater on a game drive led by one of the lodge’s guides, and in the company of other lodge guests.
Please note: Expert Africa only books excursions as a part of a full, Expert Africa itinerary.
- Start location
- Any of Expert Africa's camps in the vicinity of the Ngorongoro Crater
- End location
- Back at your safari camp
- Meals included
- Picnic lunch & drinks
- Duration
- Typically a full day
- Maximum group size
- Usually six people
Photo gallery
What to look forward to.
The scenery of the crater is truly stunning...
...
...but as you make your way down the slopes, you'll realise it's not the main reason to come here...
...the "big tusker" elephants...
...are frequently seen...
...plains game is plentiful...
...in whichever direction you look...
...all with an incredible backdrop...
...it's a photographer's dream...
...there's always something to keep an eye out for...
...you may even be lucky enough to spot the elusive black rhino...
...as well as some of the slightly less pretty species...!
Experienced guides will drive you around...
...explaining the wonder crater itself and the abundance of life which lives within it.
Safari in Ngorongoro Crater reviews
29 independent first-hand comments from our travellers.
Ideas for holidays which can include Safari in Ngorongoro Crater
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